News

Are you or a loved one going to a skilled nursing community? Whether you are preparing for a few days or a long-term stay, these helpful tips can prepare you or your loved one to make the most of your skilled nursing stay.

Have your paperwork in order

During the admission process, there are many documents the SNF team will need from you, so have these gathered and ready for them. These will include your proof of medical insurance, social security card, state driver’s license or photo ID card, copies of physician directives for skilled nursing care and any power of attorney documentation or court order.

Leave monetary valuables at home

While you may want to bring your phone or a personal electronic device for your own use, SNF communities maintain patient and resident trust funds to help fund small purchases, so large amounts of cash are unnecessary. Also, leave jewelry or other valuables at home or with a trusted loved one.

Bring clothes and toiletries

While you will be provided a hospital gown and some basic hygiene toiletries, you will want to bring some comfortable clothes and shoes that are yours to help you feel more like YOU. Make sure whatever clothes you bring are not constrictive and allow caregivers to access what they need to provide your care too.

Make your room your “home” – even if it’s just temporary

Unless you are preparing for a very long term stay in a SNF, you will be unable to bring large furniture or other decor items. However, you may want to bring some favorite pictures or a snuggly blanket that comforts you. Have your family create some inspiring art pieces – usually done by children – to provide encouragement and be taped temporarily on your walls.

Be mindful

Even if you have a private room, you will share community spaces and live near other patients and residents. Refrain from loud music or conversation and try to avoid any fragrant perfumes or overly fragrant food items to be considerate of your neighbors.

Even if you only will be in a SNF community for a few days, it’s important to make the most of it while you are there. These tips hopefully will help you prepare for that journey.

One of the most challenging conversations you will need to have with a loved one will be whether they are ready to move to an assisted living or skilled nursing community. To help you figure out when to have that conversation, here are the top seven ways to tell if your loved one needs more help.

Significant weight loss

Preparing meals can become quite a burden. If your loved one lives alone, they may be much more likely to just skip a meal rather than get out to the grocery store or spend money on delivery. While you may be able to supplement with a visiting meal service or helping purchase single serve quick meals for them, keep an eye on their weight as it will be impossible to hide the weight loss from chronic meal skipping.

Frequent falls

Does your loved one talk about falling? Do you notice a missing or broken lamp or odd marks on the walls? The bones are much more brittle as we age, so while a fall here or there may have no impact when we are younger, a significant fall for a senior can break bones and be debilitating. If your loved one lives alone, they may be on the floor from a fall for hours or even days before help arrives.

Unexplained bruises

Are you seeing any new bruises or scrapes on your loved one? Watch the knee and elbow areas carefully, as well as any scrapes on their hands or face that might indicate a fall or other accident may have happened.

Neglecting basic hygiene

Can you tell if your loved one is not bathing, shaving or keeping their clothes clean? If they used to go to the barber or beauty shop regularly but aren’t now, that also can be a sign. Bathing and dressing may have become difficult if they are losing some basic mobility. It could just be easier for them to forego some of their basic hygiene routine.

House in disarray

Are you seeing more clutter, dust or disarray in their home? Are there unexplained odors or food that has been left out or trash that is piling up? These also could be signs that maintaining their home has become too cumbersome.

Forgetting to take medicine

If your loved one takes multiple medications, managing the proper doses taken at the proper times can be confusing. Take note of the number of doses left in a prescription when you help get one fulfilled. If they are not being used as quickly as they should be, ask the tough question if they actually are taking them as prescribed.

Loneliness

More deadly than obesity according to recent studies, loneliness also carries a shameful stigma. No one wants to admit they are lonely, but about 40 percent of adults are. For aging seniors, many of their social circles have shrunk over the years due to death or people moving away.

While most people will tell you they are fine and want to stay at home as long as they can, that may not be the best decision if they are battling any of the concerns listed above. There are many options for additional levels of care to help prolong your loved one’s life and quality of life. It might be time to check out an assisted living or senior living community to get the support they need.

We don’t often stop to think about it, but our kidneys play an important role in keeping our bodies functioning properly. Here are the 5 top jobs healthy kidneys perform:

Removing wastes and extra fluid

Your kidneys act like a filter to remove wastes and extra fluid from your body. Your kidneys filter about 200 quarts of blood each day to make about 1 to 2 quarts of urine. The urine contains wastes and extra fluid. This prevents buildup of wastes and fluid to keep your body healthy.

Controlling blood pressure

Your kidneys need pressure to work properly. Kidneys can ask for higher pressure if it seems too low, or try to lower pressure if it seems too high by controlling fluid levels and making the hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict.

Keeping bones healthy

The kidneys make an active form of vitamin D. You need vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorus. Calcium and phosphorus are important minerals for making bones strong. The kidneys also balance calcium and phosphorus so your body has the right amount.

Controlling pH Levels

pH is a measure of acid and base. Your kidneys maintain a healthy balance of the chemicals that control acid levels. As cells break down, they make acids. The foods you eat can either increase or lower the amount of acid in your body. Your kidneys balance the pH of your body by either removing or adjusting the right amounts of acid and buffering agents.

Whether recovering from an illness or something as serious as a stroke, participating in and enjoying life’s daily activities are essential steps in the process. Activities such as preparing a meal for friends, driving to the store for groceries or caring for a beloved pet can become increasingly difficult as we age. Occupational Therapists, with the use of rehabilitative exercises, focus on rebuilding the practical skills necessary for returning safely to an enjoyable daily life such as:

Living safely at home

Caring for a pet

Actions specific to hobbies

Cooking

Doing housework

Driving safely

Bathing and grooming

General mobility

Grocery shopping

Communicating

Managing medication

Managing money

Share on facebook

Facebook

Share on twitter

Twitter

Share on google

Google+

Share on linkedin

LinkedIn

Get help from a Senior Care specialist!

Pricing & AvailabilityCommunity InformationBook a TourCareers

By submitting, you agree to the terms and conditions of our privacy policy and agree to be contacted by a Senior Care Centers’ representative.

For Taryn Rosow, working in long-term care is not just a job. It’s a calling. As the speech pathologist for Senior Care of Marlandwood West, Taryn works directly with stroke recovery patients to improve their communication skills and quality of life. Working with an older population has provided Taryn many challenges but she’s met them head on. To learn more about careers at Senior Care Centers, visit Careers page.

Going through medical rehabilitation or being in a long-term-care facility carries a great deal of stress and potential loneliness. Animal-assisted therapy uses dogs or other animals to help people recover from or better cope with health issues that may include heart disease, stroke recovery, cancer or long-term-care adjustment.

These animals not only can provide comfort and enjoyment to patients and residents, but also can be taught to reinforce rehabilitation efforts that involve through a ball or walking. Pet therapy can impact pain reduction, stress, depression and fatigue for those who are undergoing medical treatment.

Healthcare facilities that use pet therapy have stringent rules that ensure pets are clean, vaccinated, trained and screened before they can share their adorableness with patients. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has never received a report of infection from animal-assisted therapy.

So if you or your loved one is feeling a little gloomy, consider requesting pet therapy to lift their spirits. Having their therapy “go to the dogs” might be just what the doctor orders.

Share on facebook

Facebook

Share on twitter

Twitter

Share on google

Google+

Share on linkedin

LinkedIn

Get help from a Senior Care specialist!

Pricing & AvailabilityCommunity InformationBook a TourCareers

By submitting, you agree to the terms and conditions of our privacy policy and agree to be contacted by a Senior Care Centers’ representative.